11 July 1995
Srebrenica, a "Safe Area"
Srebrenica, a safe area
cartoon Peter van Straaten, 2002
Van Straaten collection, Press Museum
BG PM4/179 of 215
On 11 July 1995 the Bosnian Serbian army enters the Muslim enclave of Srebrenica. Thousands of Muslims seek protection in the compound of the Dutch UN peace mission. Dutchbat stands idly by while the men are separated from the women and children and taken away in buses. The Bosnian Serbs murdered more than 7000 defenseless men as the Dutch soldiers return home at the end of July amidst elaborate praise. On 10 April 2002 the NIOD (Dutch Institute for War Documentation) publishes an official research report, "Srebrenica, a 'safe area'". One week later Prime Minister Wim Kok, who was prime minister during the terrifying disgrace in 1995 as well, decides to resign.
See also:
• Peter van Straaten collection in the Memory of the Netherlands
Today in the Biographies Dutch Labour Movement
Died on 11 July
• Cornelis Roestenberg |